A bit about me, my pooch and my view on the whole dog thing

[clipandcoach]

Hi All,

I just wanted to introduce myself. I am a dog trainer and groomer from Australia! Down the south coast of NSW I live in one of the most beautiful parts of the world. I own a rescue Jap Spitz x Maltese and I live with 4 dogs. My youngest baby is my cat, Pikushi who I also rescued a few years ago. Of course my dog and cat are best friends. '



I stumbled across this forum (usually posting on the australian dogzonline forum) and just love the generosity, kindness and support that everyone provides on here. A forum like this can be the positive reinforcement we all need and deserve that we are constantly dishing out to our dogs and our family. Unfortunately, my dog can't hand me a tim tam when I do a really good job at washing the dishes. If he could, I'm sure he would, but instead I find my chocolate fix on here.

So goodluck to you all and happy training and dog loving!

Incase you are interested, here are a few of my thoughts on how we can help our dogs....

When we ask our dog to come to us and she runs down the beach....

When we ask our dog to sit and she goes and eats our biscuits...

When we ask our dog to "STOP Barking because mummy's got a headache!!!! (and she attacks the neighbours dog)"

Maybe, just maybe, we should ask ourselves... hmmm, maybe my dog doesn't understand me?

Or, maybe my dog doesn't have any reason to do that for me?

So, before you get upset because you feel like your dog is bad, or naughty or not smart enough to train...

First TEACH your dog what you mean, give her a REASON to do it, and you will soon see your dog prove she CAN do it!!!

[RubyJeansMom]

Hi clipandcoach,
I've read some of your posts, and it's nice to have somebody with your experience in dog training join the forum.
The thoughts are great, if more people realized that, the world would be a much nicer place for dogs to live in.

Welcome to the DP from RJM, Ruby, Kessler and Gizzie in Michigan USA

[remsleep]

I remember in puppy class the trainer had us play a game where we went into groups of two and one person would be the human and the other the dog. The human would tell the "dog" to do a trick but switching the main word with a vegetable.
For example when I was the "dog" the human told me "shake your lettuce" and I had to figure it out without the human using body language.

[kian]

Now I get the Clip and Coach! Do you have a name we can call you? It's great to have another positive based reward trainer. You met Lynners, she is learning and using those methods as well. I am Behaviorist coming from the old school, yes I'm old, but after many decades have evolved into the positive reward system. Actually I was teaching that long before that was taught. Feel free to jump in and help, we are all busy and can't respond to each and every post. Yes I do have a life outside of DP, but don't let that get around. Enjoy!

If he could, I'm sure he would, but instead I find my chocolate fix on here.

Did someone say Chocolate! I'll do your dishes for Chocolate

I'm Kian, the owner of two hyper on Australian Shepherds, Allie and Ice. We reside in the Western U.S. There are a few from Australia here.

Welcome to DP! Nice to meet you.

[Deerie me]

Hi C&C. I'm Tracy in North Devon, England. I have deerhounds Loki and Idun and three cats, Ember, Ziggy and Rug.

We have a couple of regulars on here from Australia who I'm sure you'll meet in due course.

Welcome to the DP.

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

What a lovely Introduction post! C&C and I have already chatted, and I too have expressed how fortunate we are to have another positive and knowledgeable Trainer/Behaviourist in our midst.

We all enjoy a bit of cheek around here so I know you'll fit right in, as you are doing already.

Welcome to the Daily Puppy from Oliver & Henry (Cavaliers) and their Mum (Deborah), in London, Ontario, Canada.

[macy_moo]

Welcome

Im in Perth, WA with Macy my Maltese x Shih tzu & Echo my jack Russell x cavalier.

Good to see another Aussie here I never joined the dogzonline forum, as it says its a pure bred forum I wasnt sure how welcoming they would be to me and my two little cross breeds lol

[Margie-Rex's Mom]

Hi C&C, welcome to the DP! I loved your introduction to us. Nice...

I'm Margie in cold Vermont USA and my sidekick is little Jose, my 3 year old JRT/Chihuahua mix.

[princelover]

Hello and welcome to DP. I have read your previous posts and it is so great to have another professional trainer in the group. I am sure you can be of much help to all of us.
I am Sher from NC, USA and I have 2 boys. Prince, a 4 yr old Cocker Spaniel and Coby, an 18 month old mix. Again, welcome!

[clipandcoach]

Thanks everyone! Lovely to meet you all

I'm a young trainer and dog groomer. I actually groom dogs most of the day and have just started a salon 2 hours south of Sydney so wish me luck everyone!! And I'll keep you all posted on how it's all going. I am very open to learning everyone's methods for training etc. I am an advocate of science and try to base anything I use and teach on scientific principles. It seems like we are all on the same page with that one which is great.

Thanks for the support and all the constructive criticism!!

It's also nice to see all the trainers on here can be relaxed about what's not so important (like my dog gets too excited) and you try to focus on what's actually important. That is also part of my philosophy. There are so many things to teach your dog that it's easy to get overwhelmed by it all. I try to stick to the basics and add in new things if I feel like a fun challenge.

[4CrazyCanines]

C&C - Welcome!! I am thoroughly enjoying reading your posts thus far. Keep them coming

[maribd55]

Welcome from Dusty, Sarah and them mom Marianne from Michigan, USA

[clipandcoach]

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome!

Also, hmmm yes Dogzonline probably don't want me posting on their either with my mixed breed. Pretty funny when most dogs in Australia seem to be crosses.

[Muzzlenuzzles]

And here's another welcome! It's wonderful to have another knowledgeable, positive trainer here. I've learned so much from other members here over the years and I can tell I'm going to learn a lot from you. Your posts on other threads have been so detailed and helpful that you're already a valuable asset to our community.

So welcome to the DP, C&C, from Mary Ann, Jasper (10 yr old Border Collie mix) and Bella (1 year old Lab mix) in Indiana!